A group of Serbian tourists had to be rescued from the Albanian Alps near Valbona with one member of their party dying from a heart attack.
The party were exploring a region called “Top of the Open Gorge” in Valbona and got stranded. They called for help but due to the difficult terrain, including steep mountain side and sheer drops, it was not possible for the helicopter to land.
Instead, with collaboration between Tropoja Police and the Kosovo Search and Rescue Forces, they were finally rescued and transported to Bajram Curri.
Unfortunately, one of the party passed away of a suspected heart attack and their body was also transported back to Tropoje.
Last week, three Czech tourists got stuck on the hike between Theth and Valbona and had to be rescued by helicopter.
The Theth-Valbona hiking trail is growing in popularity with tourists, but it poses several perils to those that attempt it without experience or local guide.
The route which stretches over 17k and is estimated to take between six and eight hours. Many travel sites state that a guide is not needed for the journey and that it is of medium difficulty. There are, in fact, numerous dangerous parts of the route with no handrails and sheer drops punctuated by loose rocks.
Snow and ice can be found along parts of the route even as late as early June, making the route even more complicated to navigate.
At the end of May 2022, a Swiss tourist fell and died while travelling on the route.
